Nine outstanding races will be run and won at The Valley on 2017 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes Day this weekend.

Each race on 2017 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes Day has drawn plenty of talented horses, but we have analysed every runner in each, in order to help you find a winner.

The feature race offers its winner ballot-free entry into this year’s Ladbrokes Cox Plate and it will be run at 4:50pm.

Race 1 (12:25pm) Ladbrokes Odds Boost Handicap (1600m)

The Ladbrokes Odds Boost Handicap has drawn twelve horses to The Valley on Saturday and it is an open field from a betting perspective. Sea The Sparkle (barrier 6) ran a close second over a mile at Caulfield last time out and should prove tough to beat in this, should that race be run at a soft tempo. War Baby (barrier 2) was strong and consistent at the beginning of her campaign, but has gone amiss of late and faces a big task in overcoming this field. Domino Vitale (barrier 5) should find little issue in taking up the running from barrier 5 and has positive hoop Noel Callow aboard, while Samovare (barrier 9) has not been far away in her two starts this time and will be rock-hard fit for the Ladbrokes Odds Boost Handicap.

Tip: No. 3 Samovare ($2.50)

Race 2 (1:00pm) Sweeney We Know West Handicap (1509m)

Eleven three-year-olds remain in contention for Race 2, including Eshtiraak (barrier 2). Eshtiraak has posted four wins and a minor through only eight runs to date, is undoubtedly one of the class runners of this field and is sure to have taken plenty of improvement from a first-up run for fourth in the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m). Aberro (barrier 6) returned to the races for a win in the Chef’s Hat Maiden Plate (1300m) on August 16^th, but faces a big step up in class into this field and will need to improve. Trainer John Salanitri has Victoria Derby aspirations for Sheer Madness (barrier 10) and the horse would need to go extremely close, if not win a race like this for those plans to be franked. Sky Punch (barrier 11), Sunquest (barrier 12) and Illumicon (barrier 4) are all live chances.

Tip: No. 2 Eshtiraak ($5)

Race 3 (1:40pm) MiMatch Handicap (1509m)

A capacity field will step out in Race 3 and there is a case to be made for more than half the group. Anaheim (barrier 12) has not been seen at the races since his fifth place finish in the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m), but runs well fresh and has a class edge over many of his rivals here. Emoji (barrier 14) has been racing well, but has drawn a tough gate and will need luck and speed early. Riyadh (barrier 4) failed to fire last time, but one three is succession prior and is drawn to get an ideal run in transit this weekend. Cosmic Lights (barrier 10) is another horse that has been racing well without returning to winning form this time, but has conditions to suit this weekend and is worth consideration at good odds.

Tip: No. 3 Anaheim – Each Way ($5.50/$2.40)

Race 4 (2:15pm) LF Sign Group Handicap (2040m)

An outstanding field of stayers will line up in race four, including several potential Melbourne Cup prospects. Macedon Lodge runner Amralah (barrier 7) has failed to produce much through two starts this time, but will enjoy a step up in distance here. stable mates Foundry (barrier 11) and Hans Holbein (Barrier 8) both ran well in their respective first-up starts and will only improve into this race. Harlow Gold (barrier 3) ran on for fourth in a mile race at The Valley a fortnight ago, will enjoy a step up in distance and should prove extremely difficult to beat under the conditions of this race. Killarney Kid (barrier 10) and Moonovermanhattan (barrier 12) are both ready to peak.

Tip: No. 7 Harlow Gold ($5)

Race 5 (2:50pm) Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m)

The first black type race on McEwen Stakes Day will be run and won when seven sprinters step out for this year’s McEwen Stakes. Houtzen (barrier 6) will make her long-awaited return to the track in the McEwen Stakes and if she finds similar form to her summer and autumn campaigns, will prove extremely difficult to beat, particularly with only 50kgs in tow. Missrock (barrier 2) won the Listed Carlyon Stakes over course and distance a fortnight ago and will only improve, while Heatherly (barrier 3) will also improve from her second in the same race. Russian Revolution (barrier 4) won the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) first-up in autumn and should be right in the finish of this, while Hellbent (barrier 1) enjoys racing at The Valley and is arguably over the McEwen Stakes odds at his current quote.

Tip: No. 1 Russian Revolution ($3.60)

Race 6 (3:30pm) Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m)

A capacity field of fourteen will step out for the Atlantic Jewel Stakes and sole emergency Royal Disguise (barrier 7) has gained a start, following the scratching of South Australian Counterplay (barrier 14). Black type winner Limestone (barrier 10) resumed for a credible fourth amongst classy company a fortnight ago and should improve noticeably into this race, while Roomooz (barrier 2) won the same race and could have a fitness edge over this field. Banish (barrier 13) is yet to contest a race under black type conditions, but she returned for a particularly smart win at Cranbourne and is more than up to the quality of this field, at healthy each-way odds. Shoals (barrier 6) and Sanadaat (barrier 5) are both more than capable of winning this race.

Tip: No. 11 Banish – Each Way ($15/$4.40)

Race 7 (4:10pm) Listed Strathmore Community Bendigo Bank Stakes (1200m)

A classy field of thirteen sprinters will step out in Race 7, formerly known as the Listed Chandler Macleod Stakes. Japanese import Brave Smash (barrier 8) ran a close second behind subsequent Group 1 winner Vega Magic first-up and if he improves off that run, will just win this race. Santa Ana Lane (barrier 6) has returned to racing in smart form and will enjoy the conditions of this race, while The Valley specialist Well Sprung (barrier 10) has reportedly enjoyed his time away from racing and could be right in the finish of this race. Oak Door (barrier 11) steps up in class, but was a smart winner last time out, while Keen Array (barrier 12) and El Divino (barrier 7) should both take improvement into the race.

Tip: No. 2 Brave Smash ($1.60)

Race 8 (4:50pm) Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m)

The feature race has drawn eleven horses seeking ballot-free entry into this year’s Ladbrokes Cox Plate. He’s Our Rokkii (barrier 1) returned to the races for a smart fourth in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) three weeks and will only improve at a mile, while Abbey Marie (barrier 6) is also sure to take plenty of benefit from her first-up run into this race. Resuming stayers Gallante (barrier 1), Tavago (barrier 4) and Sir Isaac Newton (barrier 10) may all require this run, but they have class in spades and are also capable of smart fresh performances. Multiple Group 1 winner Bonneval (barrier 8) is undoubtedly one of the class horses of this field, but will likely need the run and more distance.

Tip: No. 5 He’s Our Rokkii ($3.50)

Race 9 (5:25pm) Powerflo Solutions Craig Opie Cup (1600m)

The final race on Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes day will be contested by a smart field of thirteen milers. Multiple stakes winner Big Duke is on a Cups campaign this time and is sure to take plenty of benefit into this, his second-up run. Stampede (barrier 9) will resume, but was outstanding through a recent autumn and winter campaign and would not look out of place in the winner’s stall first-up. Etymology (barrier 6) ran a credible third in the Spring Preview (1400m) at Rosehill first-up and has conditions to suit in this race, with the notable advantage of Craig Williams in the saddle. Boom Time (barrier 11) and Mihany (barrier 5) are both ready for big runs.

Tip: No. 9 Etymology ($5)